OK my lovies, I did read the “Fifty Shades of Grey” trilogy. I am not sure of whether or not I should even call it reading, I essentially devoured it in four days with frequent “mommy bathroom breaks” and late-night iPad dates in bed.

While wondering about the evolutionary and social implications of a woman who was domineered and occasionally controlled by a man, and while remembering my own years spent with a strong feminist agenda and education for my own daughter, I was utterly taken with the premise of the story. I yearned for a man who would desire me 24/7, push everything aside to cater to my every need, and protect me in every sense of the word. Do I have that available to me at the present time? Sure. Is it at the intensity which I truly require? Probably not.

Life interrupts marriages and relationships with worries, everyday responsibilities, and romantic gestures taken for granted, or delayed until “tomorrow” when we are less tired, less stressed out, less occupied. The deep love and lust are still present but only as small embers rather than deep fires which engulf us in them.

Well, I am not certain of whether I like the small glow of embers. I have always preferred all-encompassing fires.

Hence, in view of my rediscovered romantic, I give you my interpretation of Miss Anastasia Steele.

is that you will be permanently paralyzed with fear, irrational (and occasionally very rational) anxieties, and guilt – all of which will rule your days and determine not only your parenting methodologies but also your “messaging” to your child.

Last night was one of the worst nights of my life, all due to a water bug. When “monkey” saw a water bug during the day, she was petrified but quickly recovered from her shock and continued happily playing in the house. Unfortunately, she woke up around midnight screaming that she saw it again and proceeded to imagine bugs crawling up her arms and furniture until this morning. That’s right, she did not stop. She mercilessly self-inflected the worst panic and pain for about 8 hours straight. After sleeping for a few restless hours in the morning, she then woke up and still had periodic episodes of utter fear and imagination of bugs crawling on her iPad and/or floors.

Did I panic as well? Absolutely. Watching my child in such agony and fear broke my heart and continues to break as I sit in my dark office, unsuccessfully attempting to concentrate on work, and think of my little angel and how I can make her feel better. I also fear the night, fear that she will not want to lay down on the bed or in her crib and that she will spend yet another sleepless night in sheer panic.

What nobody tells you about motherhood is that it will jolt you into an utter breakdown of all emotional barriers and restrictions into a full love bloom, while also layering and burying you in pits of dark fears. It’s indescribable, the joy and the pain. It’s not anything that I would trade and I see my miracle as that, a miracle and a thunder of love which stroke me unexpectedly and oh so very strongly.

Yet, I fear all the time and struggle to figure out a way to manage all of the raw feelings day to day.

This morning, the only thing which temporarily calmed my mind was the viral video of Equinox’s Briohny Smyth’s yoga routine….. I year to be in such peace again and need your prayers for this evening.

My darlings, it is only August and I am already anxious about the end of the summer approaching. Although I absolutely adore the back-to-school excitement of September and the fall season, there is something about the casual, sexy, and fun vibe of the summer which simply can’t compete with any other time of the year. Hence, in an effort to preserve the sensation of the sand between your toes, I am bringing you a few things which will remind you of the sunny rays stroking your skin and a coconut drink …. throughout the fall and winter.

1. Bobbi Brown Beach Perfume – this mix of sand (Yes!!!), jasmine, sea spray, and mandarin will make your friends swoon as they remember their lazy days at the ocean side.

2. Melinda Maria Floating Mosaic Earring Turquoise – these little turquoise gems will remind you of corals in the deep ends of the sea.

3. Carol’s Daughter Ecstasy Spa Experience Set – A nectar, egyptian musk, amber and vanilla Bourbon-scented assortment which will bring you right back to that time in Jamaica…..

4. Calypso’s Charlie Skirt – a flowy goddess-like piece of art, appropriate at the beach and at the office.

What a weekend! The Mr. and I decided to have a “parents’ of a toddler” movie night which, predictably, resulted in a DVD viewed in an utter state of exhaustion, on the living room sofa. Nonetheless, we loved pretending that we were out, skipping through back streets of Tribeca or a new gentrified Brooklyn neighborhood (filled with hipsters who raised the rents of all indigenous residents).

Last night, we took another risk and deviated from our routine of a quiet Sunday night in by going out to dinner at a Greek restaurant – Ovelia in Queens. Did you know that a Greek, Archestratos, wrote the first cookbook in history in 320 B.C.? Hence, the olive/wine/wheat diet has been integral to our foodie existence for over 4000 years.

Ovelia was not quite a lesson in history but it did feature traditional Greek cuisine in a modern twist. Two particularly outstanding dishes were fried feta cubes (coated in a crispy black and white sesame batter and drizzled with honey) and stuffed chicken (with green and red peppers and feta cheese). The food was fresh, prepared with lots of care and love, and oozing with Mediterranean ingredients.

In honor of Ovelia, I am inspired to prepare an “Americanized” version of the stuff chicken dish via Martha Stewart’s recipe. What do you think?

Chicken with Feta Cheese

Ingredients:

3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (about 3 ounces)

1 teaspoon dried oregano

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (6 to 8 ounces each)

Coarse salt and ground pepper

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 cup homemade or low-sodium store-bought chicken stock

Juice of 1/2 lemon

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Directions

In a small bowl, combine feta and oregano. Make a pocket in chicken breasts: Holding chicken flat with palm of one hand, make an incision in thicker side of each breast with a paring knife. Carefully pivot the knife to create a deep pocket, keeping the other side of the chicken breast intact. Stuff pockets with feta mixture, dividing evenly; generously season both sides of chicken with salt and pepper.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, and cook until browned on both sides, 6 to 7 minutes per side.

Cover skillet, and continue cooking until chicken is opaque throughout and an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part registers 160 degrees. about 5 minutes more. Remove chicken to a platter, and keep warm.

To the skillet, add chicken stock, and cook, stirring up brown bits with a wooden spoon until reduced slightly. Add lemon juice and butter. Reduce the heat to low, and swirl pan until butter is melted, and sauce is slightly thickened. Serve chicken drizzled with sauce.

Anyone who knows me knows that I come with big baggage – a lifetime fascination with India. Whether it be its spices, its scents, or its intoxicating sounds of puja prayers in the mornings, I am eternally addicted to its beauty.

One of the most famous American-Indians in the media is Padma Lakshmi. The girl cooks, creates a fabulous line of jewelry, and drool-worthy household items. Have you had a chance to catch her on HSN? Believe it or not, HSN and QVC seem to be my Prozac on dark days. Maybe it’s the faux glow of the hosts which automatically makes me feel as if all is well in the world. And, on the topic of all being well, have you seen 3 Idiots? This Bollywood gem will entertain you for straight three hours, if you give it a chance.